In Conversation with Emily Jenkins: Integrating Dance into Cancer Care

It was while Emily was studying for a postgraduate diploma at London’s Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance and at the same time working as a dance facilitator, that her interest in community dance became a true passion.

“I wanted to explore the potential of community dance and was curious about where dance wasn’t happening and questioning why that was the case. It seemed to be available for children, or certain groups of adults in later life, but there wasn’t provision for everyone.”

At the same time, Emily instinctively knew that dance was beneficial to health, and in particular wanted to explore its benefits to people with cancer, as well as those who had recovered from cancer but were living with difficult after-effects.

“I could see and feel the transformation that dance brings for people, and it got me questioning what is actually happening and what is it in dance that makes us feel good. That took me down the route of research.”

Emily’s curiosity about the positive impact of dance inspired her next step.

“I found cancer patients’ health challenges were exacerbated by lack of post-treatment support, which is exactly when the trauma and stress of cancer catches up with people. At the same time, I found extensive research demonstrating the benefits of physical activity. Yet nobody was putting this together. It seemed so obvious to me that we needed to offer dance.”

In 2016 Emily set up Move Dance Feel, helping women at any stage in their cancer journey. Its mission is to integrate dance into cancer care, to alleviate the long-lasting and wide-ranging health challenges associated with diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. Move Dance Feel combines delivery with research into the benefits of dance.

Churchill Fellowship and inspiring training

2020 was a pivotal year. Emily successfully applied for a Churchill Fellowship, which – despite some delays, due to the pandemic – enabled her to spend time with organisations in Europe and the USA which were also making the link between dance and cancer, or the benefits to health more generally. She visited four countries and ten cities, dancing with 25 communities and more than 600 people.

“This period of travel gifted me time to dance and converse with others working at the intersection of dance and health. Through numerous encounters I explored the similarities and differences in how we design and deliver dance experiences, as well as capture their impact.”

Emily posed many questions during her Fellowship travels, including how artists and the groups they support cope with grief when one of their members passes away. It was a question few had addressed.

Inspiring artists to offer dance and cancer care

Following her travels, Emily developed an international Dance in Cancer Care Network, and she collated extensive research that had been carried out as to the health benefits of dance in the context of cancer, producing a database.

But her most far-reaching innovation was the development of training programmes, enabling other artists to build on the success of Move Dance Feel and so make dance available to a larger audience.

Despite visiting many groups during the Fellowship few were offering training, which makes what Emily does truly groundbreaking.

During the life course of the Fellowship Emily has developed three new training opportunities. A weekend Dance in Cancer Care Introductory programme for those working in the arts and the healthcare sectors; a four-month Dance in Cancer Care Practitioner programme for artists to develop their knowledge base and facilitation skills; and a broader Dance and Health Advancing Your Practice programme. Led by artists for artists, the content is highly original compared with other professional development offerings, for example creatively navigating grief and loss in this work.

“Through the trainings we have a large cohort of alumni now, also working in the realm of dance and cancer care, with many initiating their own projects. Through this network we are reaching many more people. So, where I and Move Dance Feel can’t be, we can instead signpost to others’ activities who, importantly, share a community of practice.”

So, what next?

Emily is ambitious to raise the profile of Move Dance Feel, so she can reach yet more people in need of support; building partnerships that are on a firmer footing.

The word is spreading. Artists from organisations, including Northern Ballet and The Place London, are exploring Emily’s training. Reflecting that more dance organisations are evolving their programmes to address health.

“I just want practitioners and people affected by cancer to know this exists, to shine a light on it. I know what we are doing works, I know there is a need for it, and – thanks to the validation by the Fellowship – I know other organisations are taking us seriously.”

In the run up to Move Dance Feel’s 10 year anniversary, in April 2026, Emily is beginning to feel the ripple effects of her advocacy efforts. She’s recently received a OneDanceUK Award for Health and Wellbeing in Dance, and been recognised by Buckingham Palace for offering outstanding community-based cancer support. On the back of this momentum, catalysed by the Fellowship, it’s exciting to imagine where Move Dance Feel will be in another 10 years.

“I’m dreaming of a future where more people gather to dance. To dance into aliveness in a way that expands our capacity to hold both sorrow and joy, grief, and gratitude.”